Present - Rome, WI
"You're up early," Jill said, "What are you doing?"
"I'm researching what Julia told us last night," Jimmy said, "Read this. Michael and Tamara Cooke were found shot dead in their home five days ago, and their boat exploded. Still missing is their daughter 14 year old, Julia Cooke. It's her. There is a picture. She's presumed dead. No motive. No mention of the bodies on the boat. My god."
"What are we going to do about her?"
"She's Kenny and Max's daughter," Jimmy stated, "We can't just turn her over to the FBI or Social Services. She's been through a lot. She needs our help Jill."
"They have to of had friends in Tahiti that will wonder where she went. She is the only witness to all of this."
"Just like Kenny and Max were the only witnesses before? Look how well things turned out for them."
"So you want to lie for her? Just like you did for them?"
"What would, you of had me, do? How could I tell you that they were alive? The three of you didn't exactly part on good terms!"
"I didn't want them to die! I watched you mourn them, Jimmy! Everyone mourned them! If they stayed, none of this would have happened!"
444
They're fighting about me, I thought, as I sat cross legged on the bed. Mom and Dad, I wish that you were here! I don't know what you want me to do anymore.
"I miss you," I whispered, as I picked up an old photograph.
6 Months Ago - Tahiti
"Eew," I cried, "You're my parents! You can't do that!"
"And where did you come from?" Dad asked, as he pulled himself away from Mom.
"School," I stated, as I tried not to laugh at their guilty expressions, "I've never seen any of my friend's parents making out in the kitchen before. Is this what you're afraid I'm going to do when I go out on dates?"
"If a boy ever touches you," Dad started, before Mom elbowed him.
"Are you going to say that I'm too young?" I cut in.
"No," Mom said, "Well, yes."
"Mom. Dad. I'm 14. Yes, I've kissed a boy before. Not like that though."
"Well I'm glad to hear that," Mom said, "What are you doing home so early, kiddo?"
"Soccer practice was cancelled," I shrugged, "I just felt like coming home, uh, I can go if you want to be alone."
"When was the last time I got to spend time with both of my favorite women?" Dad asked, "It's early, beautiful outside, why don't we go down to the beach?"
Present - Rome, WI
"We weren't sure if you were awake yet," Jill said, "Did you sleep okay?"
I nodded, "Thanks for letting me stay here."
"You can stay as long as like," Jimmy offered, "I did some research this morning."
"On what I told you?"
Jimmy nodded, "They think that you're dead, Julia. Most likely on the boat."
"Who do they think . . ." I trailed off, "Do they say who my parents were?"
Jimmy shook his head, "The article just referred to them as Michael and Tamara Cooke, and it was being called a robbery so far."
"People should know," I whispered, "They should know who they were. They shouldn't just be put in the ground under fake names."
"It wasn't fake for them," Jill offered, "And they would want you to be safe, and not announcing that they didn't die in Mexico. You know their story, Julia, and how it ended."
"What happens if they do find out?" I asked.
"It opens a whole can of worms that no one is prepared to deal with. Your parents took a lot of secrets with them when they ran, and the FBI wasn't happy about that," Jimmy said.
"Were they going to jail if they stayed?" I asked.
"They had immunity, until they bolted to Mexico looking for the diamonds, "Jimmy sighed, "The FBI wasn't too happy about that, and then the explosion. A lot of people died."
"What if I find the diamonds?" I asked, "I know the first clue."
"Your parents hid them for a reason," Jimmy stated, "And if the FBI or the mob knew that you knew where they were, your life would be over. You'd be in jail or dead."
"What am I supposed to do then?"
"What your parents would have wanted you to do," Jill replied, "You're going to finish school, and live a full and happy life."
"And just let the people who murdered my Mom and Dad get away with it?"
"The people who murdered them are dead. You made sure of that," Jimmy said gently.
"I killed them," I said, as I sank down onto the kitchen chair, "Oh my God, I'm a murderer."
"No, you aren't," Jimmy said, "Those people were going to kill you. There isn't any doubt to that. You did what you had to do."
"Dad taught me to fire a gun when I was 11," I said, "He wanted me to be ready . . . Why couldn't I have shot them before . . . I can't even go to their funeral."
"They understand. I promise you," Jill said.
"You can stay here for as long as you like," Jimmy added.
"How? Won't people ask questions?" I wondered.
"We'll say that you're a distant relative," Jill said, "Our kids all live out of state. It'll work."
"I can't ask you to do that," I replied, "You don't even know me."
"We knew Max and Kenny though," Jimmy countered, "Your parents. Let us help you, Julia."
"Okay."
6 Years Later - Berkeley, CA - Present
"Congratulations," Jill said, as she wrapped me in a tight hug, "A college graduate."
"We're proud of you, Julia," Jimmy said.
"I still can't believe it," I said, as I looked at the degree in my hands, "I graduated."
"Your parents would be so proud of you," Jimmy added.
I nodded, "I know they would. Thank you, for everything."
"So what are your plans for tonight? Any wild parties planned?" Jill asked.
"Some," I said, "One last bash before we all have to be adults."
"Any thoughts on a job yet? A degree in journalism is impressive."
I shrugged, "I have my job at the pool for now, but I sent my resume out. I want to go to Tahiti."
"Tahiti?" Jill repeated, "Julia . . . Are you sure?"
"I haven't been back since . . . I need to go. Back to the house, the beach . . . their graves. I never got to say good bye."
4 Years Ago - Rome, WI
"No!" I screamed, as I kicked the blankets off, "No! Mommy! No! Don't die! Daddy!"
"Julia!" Jimmy demanded, as he shook me awake, "Wake up! You're having a nightmare!"
"Mom!" I yelled, as reality dawned on me, "Oh."
"It's okay," Jill soothed, "Was it the same one?"
I nodded, "All the blood . . . It's like it's happening again . . . I can't forget, I can't get it out of my head."
"Do you want a pill?"
I shook my head, "No . . . I want it to stop. Why won't it?"
"You went through a lot," Jill offered, "They're less frequent now."
"I know . . ." I trailed off, "I . . . I need to go back."
"Not now," Jimmy insisted.
I nodded slowly, "I know. Um, I'm okay. I just need to sleep."
Present - Berkeley, CA
"What happens when you go back?" Jimmy asked, "What happens if someone knows you?"
"It's been over six years. I'm going."
"Does our opinion not matter?" Jill asked, "It could be very dangerous for you to go back there."
"You took me into your home for the past six years, lied for me, made me a part of your family," I said softly, "Of course it matters. I still have nightmares . . . I need to finish what they started."
"What your parents started?" Jimmy asked, "The diamonds?"
"It needs to be over," I said, "If you bank it, you'll be in the water. I need to go home again."
"You call if you need anything," Jimmy demanded, "I mean that."
"Thank you."
Present - Tahiti
"Oh my God," I whispered, as I stood on the beach that I frequented during my childhood, "It hasn't changed . . ."
Slipping off my sandals, I let the waves lap at my feet as I walk further down the shore. Squinting against the sunlight, I tried to control my racing heart.
"Mom, Dad," I whispered, as my old house came into view, "I came back. I told you I'd come back."
Stumbling up the dunes, I paused as I stared at the house. It's empty, I thought, as I looked at the boarded up windows. No one lives here . . . maybe since we did? I can't go in there . . . I have too. I walked slowly up the back porch, and peered in one of the broken windows. It's so dark, I thought, what if nothing has changed? What if the blood is still there? So much blood . . .
"No," I said aloud, "It's been six years. You can do this, Julia. I'm not afraid. I'm not afraid."
Gritting my teeth in determination, I tried the back door. Pausing at it swung open at my gentle push, I took a deep breath and went inside.
"Oh my god," I whispered, as my memories overtook me.
Tahiti - 6 Years Ago
"Ahh!" I screamed, "Not fair! It's cold! Dad!"
"Oh you think that's funny?" he called, as he looked over at a hysterical Mom, "What do you say, kiddo? I think it's Mom's turn now."
"Oh, no!" she said, through fits of laughter, "Michael, Julia . . . Ahh!"
"You're all wet," I giggled, as Dad dumped the remaining water over her head.
"Not fair," she cried, as Dad sunk down on the sand next to her and she poked him in his side, "I'll get you for that."
"You look cute, Tamara," he replied, as he kissed her cheek.
"You two aren't going to make out again? Are you?" I asked.
"No," Mom said, as she shot me a conspiratorial grin, as I looked over at the cooler full of ice.
I grinned back, as I snatched it off the sand and dumped it over Dad's head, "No?"
Tahiti - Present
I took another step inside, and looked over the tattered remains of the kitchen. So dark, I thought, as I moved toward the living room. Toward my nightmare.
Tahiti - 8 Years Ago
"It's so pretty," I sighed, as I looked at Mom's engagement ring, "Mom?"
"Julia?"
"Why did Dad give you a sapphire instead of a diamond? It's just so different. How did he propose?"
She smiled at me, "We were living in Greece, we had been there for two years. The time just seemed right . . ."
"That's it? What about your wedding?"
"It was in this beautiful church on the beach in Santorini. It was just the two of us, the priest, and all of these flowers. The whole thing lasted maybe 15 minutes, but . . . it was perfect for us."
"What about the rest of it? Your dress? Hair? Music? Dancing? Anything?"
"I had a white, cotton, sun dress, and, well my hair was about the color of yours then, and I pinned on orchid behind my ear. It wasn't fancy, kiddo. Tell you what, when you get married, we'll pull out all the stops. Orchestra, fancy dress, 200 guests, big cake, ice sculptures, five course meal, anything you want."
"Mom? When I get married . . . Will I be able to tell him?"
"Tell him?" she trailed off, "Oh. About us?"
I nodded, "Yeah. I mean, he'll be my husband . . . shouldn't he know?"
"You're 12, I don't think we have to worry about that yet."
"Mom, you didn't answer my question."
"Because I don't know the answer. Julia, nothing would make me happier to see you live a normal life, and not having to constantly look over your shoulder. Having children is something your father and me thought about carefully."
"I love my life, Mom. I just wonder about my future sometime. I know I'm safe with you and Dad."
Present -Tahiti
"Safe," I whispered, as I stood in the dusty living room, "I'm safe."
It's so empty in here, I thought, as I looked around the empty room. My eyes drifted to where my parents died, the last place I had seen them.
"Oh, Mom, Dad. I'm so sorry," I whispered, as I sunk to my knees.
5 Years Ago - Rome, WI
"Mom, who is this girl?" Kimberly asked, "We come to visit for Christmas, and there is some teenage girl living here?"
"She was a daughter of a patient of mine," Jill said, "Both her parents died, and she had no place to go."
"And you didn't think to Matthew, Zach and me about this?"
"The three of you have your own lives now, Kim. We didn't want to upset you."
"How long is she staying for?"
"We want her to finish her education. She's a nice young lady, Kim, and she has had a rough time. Give her a chance. She's only 16."
"She seems okay," Kim sighed, "Fine."
Present - Tahiti
"Hi guys," I said quietly, as the sun began to set and I kneeled down at their graves, "I wanted to come sooner, you don't know how much I wanted to."
I traced the outline of their names, much like my Mom had done at Tom's grave. Laying the flowers down, I felt the tears drip down.
"There is so much I want to tell you. I miss you, God, so much. I think about you everyday . . . It's been six years since that night. I still dream about it. I don't even know where to start . . . I graduated from college last week. Berkeley, with a degree in journalism. I want to stop it, the mob. All of it."